October is one of those months

October, that special month, filled with so much to do and so little time.

As we flip the calendar to find October, the stark realization that this month is one chocked full of outdoor opportunities leaves us scrambling to enjoy each and every day. We knew it was coming and tried to prepare to the best of our ability, but I have fallen short of many goals I've set before me.

Too much to do and so little time, and with gas prices higher than we expected during the summer months, the planning becomes even more difficult. Archery season began just yesterday and I didn't pick up the bow and head to the woodlands or woodlots.

I rarely do participate in the opening day of archery, and I rarely hunt on weekends whenever possible. On Saturdays, I've found more folks in the woods and prefer some sense of solitude.

My preseason scouting has been lacking, although while dove hunting, without success, I did find some promising areas. I can't recall seeing so many spotted fawns this late in the year, leading me to wonder how many late fawns have been born this past year and perhaps more importantly why.

"It might have been your own observations," Jerry Feaser, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Game Commission said, promising to check with Dr. Chris Rosenberry of the Deer Management Team of the PGC.

According to Rosenberry, "Deer are molting at this time of year, and fawns are starting to lose their spots; this is not unusual."

I guess, what we were observing was something buried in our memory banks, although I had only occasionally seen spotted fawns during past archery seasons.

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So my own preparation is lacking, although the hunter within me is more than anxious to get out there.

With all the hunting seasons coming down like the falling leaves of October, I find myself trying to figure out what time I spend observing, which has been the center of my days afield lately, and how many days I will get to emerge myself entirely into pursuit. I fully admit that pursuit allows me to feel more a part of the whole than observation, even those that include some mild hiking.

As I search to find and air-out my hunting clothing and consider how to find time for my favorite season of all, the inline season that begins Oct. 13 and concludes on the 20th, I realize how precious that short week is to me. I still believe that it is far too short and filled with too many other species to hunt, including squirrel and ruffed grouse, which begins the same day, and cottontail and pheasant that start on the last day of the inline or muzzeloading October season, and, of course, the archery season that remains in full swing throughout the entire week.

Of course, the elk are bugling, and the leaves are changing and falling softly to the forest's floor. This past week the state parks held a sparse amount of visitors, but during the next few weeks you will see an influx of those wanting to catch nature at her peak.

But be aware that those rental cabins in pristine areas of interest are already heavily booked, and that prices for this short month are perhaps the highest rates of the year. It seems that everything is peaking to include the cooling of waters that provides some of the best fishing of the year.

So do you pack your fishing rods, your bow, your shotgun or your inline? Of course cameras and binoculars are always a must. But deciding what to take when, including camo clothing or blaze orange as it is often called, leaves little room for anything else in the SUV, even with the back seats are down.

October is the month that is far too short. The changing of the guard of summer into the splendor of fall, knowing that soon the woodlands will be stark and gray. Wildlife will be putting on the feedbag and enjoying what looks to be a heavy mast crop.

It is now that Karen and I pack extras, meaning that we know the temperatures can change dramatically during a single day. We often pack lunches, extra pairs of socks and hiking boots, shirts or sweaters and something to drink.

Even with all the GPS's in the world and cell phones, the places where hunters and tourists most often visit lack reception of both. I've seen more "searching for service" and/or "service not available" notices off the beaten path than I have had service.

Despite all the recent technology, I enjoy those times when the cell isn't ringing or Facebook isn't a major part of the drive.

Then, of course, is the need to take care of any game harvested, which means coolers and finding ice or carrying those blue ice packs already frozen. Add to that a knife for field dressing and skinning and a way to bring home the venison, squirrel, pheasant or cottontail.

Bring a few Ziplock freezer bags and some large, white plastic garbage bags in which your "future dinners" can be transported.

My pulse always quickens when October comes slipping into and out of my life, and just being there, especially when in pursuit, is something I cherish and have all of my life. It is decision month, it's take it all in month, it's a month with 31 days that will pass far too quickly.

How you spend it is up to you. But one thing is certain, be there as much and as often as possible and it will rarely disappoint you.

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